Strawberry plant named &#39;DRISSTRAWSEVENTYONE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’, selected for its open habit, plant health, fruit appearance, and fruit flavor, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed varietyof strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that isgrown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred inBrittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginianawith Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessoryfruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from thereceptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, seasonof ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certainvarieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development oftheir reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appearhermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female.Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involvespropagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare rootplants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. Duringthe off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright redcolor, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is apopular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in preparedfoods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, thereis a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, thereis a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable,high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to animproved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria xananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ originated from a crossbetween the proprietary female parent ‘35T 42’ (unpatented) and theproprietary male parent ‘50T403’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from thiscross, including ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’, were asexually propagated viastolons in McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. in April of 2012. Strawberryplant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ was later specifically identifiedand selected in Monterey County, Calif. in May of 2013.

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons,and underwent further testing at a farm in Monterey County, Calif. forfour years (2013 to 2017). The present variety has been found to bestable and reproduce true to type through successive asexualpropagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ exhibits the following distinguishingcharacteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices inMonterey County, Calif.:

-   -   1. Inflorescence beneath foliage;    -   2. Obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet; and    -   3. Partially remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ was selected for its growth habit, plant health,fruit appearance, and fruit flavor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers, leaves andplants. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants thatare ten months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

FIG. 4 show leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

FIG. 5 shows plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Monterey County,Calif. from 2013 to 2017. This description is in accordance with UPOVterminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and otherphenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values anddescriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal,climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The botanicaldescription of ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ was taken from plants that were tenmonths old. The indicated values represent averages calculated frommeasurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London(R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the PlantIdentification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition byJames G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwisedefined.

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘35T 42’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘50T403’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—32.15 cm.        -   Diameter.—44.1 cm.        -   Number of crowns per plant.—8.5.        -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.        -   Density of foliage.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Medium.-   Stolon:    -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—20.        -   Diameter at bract.—3.73 mm.        -   Density of pubescence.—Medium.        -   Stolon color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.        -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 140C (Brilliant yellowish green).-   Leaf:    -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 139A (Dark Yellowish Green).        -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow-green).        -   Blistering.—Medium.        -   Glossiness.—Medium.        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Terminal Leaflets.—Length: 8.49 cm. Width: 7.40 cm.            Length/width ratio: 1.15 . Number of teeth/terminal leaflet:            24.5 . Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Serrate to crenate.            Shape in cross section: Concave.        -   Petiole.—Length: 25.1 cm. Diameter: 4.07 mm. Attitude of            hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on            each petiole): 1.25 . Petiole color: RHS 144C (Strong            yellow-green).        -   Petiolule.—Length: 25.55 mm. Diameter: 2.32 mm.        -   Stipule.—Length: 3.86 cm. Width: 16.63 mm. Anthocyanin            coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS N144D (Strong            yellow green). Stipule color: RHS 139A (Darkish            yellow-green).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Beneath.        -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Pedicel            color: RHS 143D (Moderate yellow-green).        -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on            non-flattened flower): 30.86 mm. Arrangement of petals:            Free. Stamen: Present. Stamen length: 1.0 mm. Stamen width:            0.5 mm. Stamen shape: Basifixed. Stamen color: RHS 150A            (Brilliant yellow-green). Number of stamen per flower: 28.2            . Anther color: RHS 164B (Brownish orange). Typical and            observed number of flowers per plant: 9.5 .        -   Petal.—Length: 12.41 mm. Width: 10.61 mm. Length/width            ratio: 1.17 . Typical and observed petal number: 5.6 . Color            of upper side: RHS NN155D (White). Color of lower side: RHS            155A (Pale yellow-green).        -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of            flower): 42.45 mm. Calyx color: RHS 141D (Strong            yellow-green).        -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to            receptacle): 16.5 mm. Width: 8.74 mm. Typical and observed            sepal number: 11.7.-   Fruit:    -   -   Length.—41.32 mm.        -   Width.—36.45 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.13.        -   Fruit hollow length.—18.42 mm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—5.93 mm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—3.11.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Differences in shape between primary and secondary            fruit.—Slight.        -   Color.—RHS N45A (Moderate Red).        -   Number of fruit per truss.—3.0.        -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Glossiness.—Strong.        -   Width of the band without achenes.—Narrow.        -   Firmness.—Medium.        -   Achenes.—Position of achenes: Level with surface. Achene            color: RHS 150A (Brilliant yellow-green). Number of achenes            per fruit: 306. Achene weight: 0.5 mg.        -   Peduncle.—Peduncle length: 7.0 cm. Peduncle diameter: 2.0            mm.        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 40A (Vivid reddish            orange).        -   Color of core.—RHS 39B (Deep yellowish pink).        -   Titratable acidity (as citric acid content).—0.74%.        -   Sugar content (as soluble solids in Brix).—8.1°.-   Production:    -   -   Flowering interval.—April to October.        -   Harvest interval.—April to October.        -   Type of bearing.—Partially remontant.        -   Productivity.—: 34,279 kg to 51,363 kg of fruit per acre per            season from ten-month-old plants when grown in Monterey            County, Calif.-   Resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress:    -   -   Heat.—Moderately susceptible.        -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately            susceptible.        -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately            resistant.        -   Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum            acutatum).—Susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘35T42’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ has larger fruit comparedto ‘35T 42’. Moreover, plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ are more vigorousthan plants of ‘35T 42’. Additionally, fruit size of ‘35T 42’ decreasesmore sharply later in the season than fruit size of‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘50T403’(unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ has smaller, softer, and moreuniformly shaped fruit compared to ‘50T403’. Moreover,‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ produces fewer stolons compared to ‘50T403’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawFortyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,801) in that‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ has inflorescence beneath foliage, an obtuse shapeof base of terminal leaflet, an outwards attitude of fruit sepals, and apartially remontant type of bearing, while ‘DrisStrawFortyFour’ hasinflorescence above foliage, a rounded shape of base of terminalleaflet, an upwards attitude of fruit sepals, and a day neutral type ofbearing.

‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,733) in that‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ has inflorescence beneath foliage, an obtuse shapeof base of terminal leaflet, a free arrangement of flower petals, and apartially remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘DrisStrawNine’ hasinflorescence above foliage, a rounded shape of base of terminalleaflet, an overlapping arrangement of flower petals, and a fullyremontant type of bearing.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawSeventyOne’ as shown and described herein.